NERC Holds Hearing For Petition By IBEDC On Phoenix’s Eligible Customer Status

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on Thursday heard a petition from Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) against Phoenix Steel Mills Limited for its Eligible Customer Status.

NERC had granted Phoenix Steel Mills the status this year. Also joined in the petition is the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) which transmits bulk energy from the Generation Company (GenCo) to the eligible customer.

IBEDC submitted that Phoenix Steel had left its distribution network to become an eligible customer without fulfilling all due process, including providing due notice for opting out of the network to be connected directly to energy sourced from a GenCo.

The counsel to Phoenix Steel however insisted that they had fulfilled all conditionalities while applying to NERC to be granted the Eligible Customer Status.

Chairman of the Petition Hearing Panel and NERC Vice Chairman, Dr. Musiliu Oseni, provided an avenue for fair hearing for all the parties involved, including the representatives of TCN.

After the hearing, Dr Oseni said NERC will review the submissions and make a ruling which will be conveyed to all parties in the matter.